International student handbook by Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Charles University Prague

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK STUDENT HANDBOOK

A Guide to Studying in Prague

CHARLES UNIVERSITY MATH-PHYS

compsci-math.cz

FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS CHARLES UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS CHARLES UNIVERSITY PRAGUE

Studying IN Prague 8 The University 16 Our Alumni 34 Why Study with Us 38 Study Programmes 42 Admission 44 Costs & Benefits 46 CONTACTS 48

STUDY MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE AT CHARLES UNIVERSITY, PRAGUE Learn from prominent and distinguished academics at one of the oldest and most highly regarded universities in Europe, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Experience student life in the Czech capital and explore the incredible richness of Prague’s historical heritage. To all motivated, diligent, and gifted young people who dare to think, we offer affordable, high-quality three-year Bachelor’s and two-year Master’s programmes taught entirely in English. At the graduate level, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics also offers Doctoral programmes in all disciplines, allowing PhD students to further their academic and scientific research. Both the undergraduate and graduate programmes have been running with great success for Czech

students for years, and now they are open to international students as well. All degrees awarded are accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic and are internationally recognized. Are you considering learning Czech while studying at university in Prague? Starting before you apply has one great advantage: all students enrolled in Czech-language programmes study entirely free of charge! Learn more about our study programmes and admission requirements on page 40 and don’t miss out on the opportunity to study for free (more on page 46)!

STUDY IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ATTRACTIVE CITIES Studying in Europe will surely appeal to many, but studying in the very heart of Europe gives you a number of exciting prospects and various advantages. Both the Czech Republic and its famous capital, Prague, are sure to win you over with their unequalled beauty. You will find that the country’s rich cultural heritage and its beautiful nature, with thousands of historical locales, castles, and chateaux, are incomparable to any other place in the world. Prague does not in any sense lag behind – celebrated for its architecture, museums and art galleries, classical music concerts, and for its magical atmosphere, it is

a lively and dynamic city well suited for young students. With no exaggeration, you will find an incredible variety of exciting things to do while studying here. Since the Czech Republic is a member of both the European Union and the Schengen Area, you will find it remarkably easy to explore destinations outside its borders, too. Find out more about the Czech Republic and Prague on page 8.

MASTER THE IDEAS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME Bachelor of Computer Science Master of Mathematics

The Bachelor’s programme in Computer Science provides the students with a sound theoretical base, which is invaluable for working with applications and software development, and is a necessity for further study and research. We will enable you to develop the skills of abstraction, generalization, logical reasoning, problem solving and critical thinking – capabilities widely sought by employers all around the world.

The programme is designed to encourage analytical thinking, creativity and comprehensive understanding in conjunction with the ability to apply mathematical methods to real-life problems. In our curriculum, we put a strong emphasis on ideas and concepts that have stood the test of time and that will endure.

Master of Computer Science

Already during their undergraduate and graduate studies, students have the opportunity to work directly with a range of our commercial sector partners, developing and implementing real-life assignments.

Learn about our study programmes and admission requirements on page 40.

The focus of this programme is on understanding the core principles of how and why things work and on the application of these principles. The strong theoretical underpinning of the Master’s programme gives our graduates a competitive advantage in a dynamically evolving world where today’s technologies are often obsolete tomorrow.

Read more about our Partnership Programme on page 28.

ENROLL AT A TOP-LEVEL INSTITUTION Established in 1348, Charles University has been a highly valued educational institution for centuries. A great number of historical figures have attended or are associated with the university, including Albert Einstein, Ernst Mach, Jan Hus, and Franz Kafka. Today, it is a dynamic and modern research university ranking among the top 2% of universities worldwide, and in Europe it belongs to the top 100 institutions of higher learning. The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics has been declared the best computer science school in the

Czech Republic, and, perhaps more notably, Microsoft Academic Search places it among the top 10 institutions worldwide in the field of discrete mathematics. Our faculty is also one of the few schools that have ever won the International Collegiate Programming Contest World Finals – an annual competition organised by the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society. Discover more about Charles University on page 16. 5

INVEST IN an EDUCATION THAT WILL PAY OFF A great majority of our graduates successfully establish themselves in important positions in large international companies shortly after graduation. Thanks to the thorough training provided by the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, they rapidly adapt to working with new technologies and learning new approaches, for which they are highly valued by their employers. Many of our graduates now work for Google, IBM, Deloitte, Ernst&Young, and other well-respected corporations, and

a number of our former students have also been successful in starting their own businesses, of which quite a few have become well-known around the world. Some of our graduates decide to continue their education and research, successfully applying for doctoral, post-doctoral, and lectureship positions at our university or at academic institutions abroad. Read more about employment possibilities and meet our graduates on page 34.

ENJOY AFFORDABLE COSTS AND MORE High-quality university education doesn’t have to be unaffordable. For all Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes at Charles University, the annual tuition fee is 3,000/5,000 EUR (around 3,900/6,500 USD) for EU/Non-EU students. On top of that, the average monthly cost of living in Prague ranges from 400 to 600 EUR, including accommodation, meals, public transportation costs, and leisure activities. As a full-time student at our university, you will

enjoy a number of other benefits, including convenient, low-cost accommodation in student dormitories and free of charge sporting activities. You will also be able to apply for the available scholarships and grants, or spend some time studying abroad at another European university. Learn more about expenses and benefits on page 46.

STUDYING IN PRAGUE

STUDY AT THE VERY HEART OF EUROPE The Czech Republic is a landlocked, central European country with its capital in Prague. It is surrounded by low mountain ranges that make up most of its natural borders — with Germany to the west, Poland to the north, Slovakia to the east, and Austria to the south.

The Czech Republic is famous for its innumerable castles and chateaux spread over the beautifully varied landscape; for its cities full of Baroque, Gothic, and Art-Nouveau architectural sights; its world famous spa towns and their thermal springs; as well as for its artisanal industries and influential people who were born or lived here.

The country has four national parks and twelve cultural sites listed on the World Heritage List. The Czech Republic is a member state of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area, and is therefore easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The country’s economy is developed and stable — the Czech Republic has been ranked as an

advanced economy by the International Monetary Fund and classified as a highincome economy by the World Bank. Many leading IT companies such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and Hewlett–Packard have their branches in the Czech Republic, and the widely used computer antivirus programs AVG and Avast originated here. The country has

a very low crime rate and civil disorder is particularly rare here — according to the Australian Institute for Economics and Peace, the Czech Republic is among the fifteen most peaceful countries in the world. Natural disasters are extremely uncommon, and destructive forces such as tornadoes, tsunamis, and

earthquakes do not occur here. The climate in the Czech lands is moderate with four seasons. Winters can vary from mild to chilly, and snowfall is fairly common. The temperature during the winter period can occasionally rise above zero (32 °F) or fall under –15 °C (5 °F). Summers are usually fairly warm,

with the temperature often rising up to 35 °C (95 °F). The average temperature in January, the coldest of the winter months, is about –5 °C (23 °F), and in July, the warmest summer month, it is around +23 °C (73 °F).

“The Computer Science building dates back to the 17th century, and is located within just a few steps from Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.”

LIVE IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES Charles University is located right in the historical centre of Prague. The city’s splendour, location, and many other characteristic elements have earned it a number of nicknames — the Golden City, the heart of Europe, the City of a Hundred Spires, and the Pearl of Cities. Prague abounds with wellpreserved examples of remarkable architecture, and many of its old quarters and historical sights are subjects of local legends. With its history dating back more than 1 100 years, the city is sure to impress you with its narrow cobbled streets, lofty church spires and cupolas, splendid palaces and town houses, bridges crisscrossing the river Vltava, and extensive green spaces in its gardens, parks, and islands. A great number of architectural styles can be found all over Prague — from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance,

and Baroque to Classical styles, as well as modern styles such as Cubism, Art Deco, Functionalism, and even more contemporary trends are present. In 1992, Prague’s historical centre was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, and it is no wonder that it is such an attractive tourist destination (more than five million tourists visited Prague in 2013). The city’s most remarkable monuments, to name just a few, include: Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle complex in the world; the Charles Bridge, the oldest bridge in Prague built by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1357; the Old Town Square and City Hall with the famous Astronomical Clock, a place associated with some of the most significant events in the country’s history. The Computer Science building of Charles University

is a former Jesuit monastery dating back to the 17th century, and is located within just a few steps from the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Public transportation in Prague is fast, reliable and affordable. It is also the best way to get around the city and explore its various attractions. As a student, you can enjoy a discounted rate for Prague’s outstanding transportation system which includes trams and buses, day or night, as well as the underground metro service (which runs 18 hours a day). Cycling is another option of getting around Prague that is gaining more and more popularity. In the recent years, there has been a continued development of safe cycling routes throughout the city..

EXPLORE, TRAVEL, GET INSPIRED beautifully decorated dancing halls, or simply to have a stroll around castle gardens, you will undoubtedly enjoy the fascinating touch of history everywhere around you. Moreover, thanks to the country’s central location within Europe, the rest of the continent is easily accessible either by train, bus, car, or air. You will find a number of stunning historical cities within arm’s reach — direct, comfortable and reasonably priced bus services will take you to Dresden in only two hours, to Nurnberg or Munich in four to five hours, and to Vienna or Berlin in around five hours. Direct trains and busses also run to other exciting European cities such as Budapest, Paris, or Krakow. Not a fan of road or rail travel? In only an hour or two, a plane will take you anywhere you want to go in Europe.

You will find an astonishing number of things to discover in Prague, from its history and architecture to cultural and social events. Prague is especially well known for its recitals and symphonies performed every evening in the city’s famed concert halls, churches, and palaces. There are numerous art exhibitions, concerts, as well as film, music, and literature festivals organised every year. Outside Prague, many splendid historical cities and towns adjacent to chateaux and castles are sure to impress. And, since the Czech Republic has one of the highest densities of forts in the world, it leaves you with around two thousand castles, strongholds, and chateaux to see while touring the countryside. Whether you choose to have a look at the former kings’ lodgings, medieval torture chambers,

ENJOY FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE AND MEET NEW PEOPLE Student exchange has also been enjoying great popularity, especially since the introduction of european Student exchange Programme enabling university students to temporarily attend academic institutions while living in a foreign country. to help the incoming students adapt to life in Prague, Charles university has set up an International Student Club, a student society that organises diverse social, cultural, and sports events for international and Czech students alike. these include hiking, cycling, canoeing and rafting trips around the country, various themed parties, and excursions abroad. the international Club also runs a Buddy Programme â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a programme which aims to bring together international and home students. it is primarily designed to provide the incoming students with a helping hand for an easier and friendlier start in a new country.

after the 1989 velvet revolution, the Czech republic rapidly became a highly popular tourist destination. likewise, Prague quickly turned into a cosmopolitan and Englishfriendly city, with the majority of its inhabitants speaking english and/or another foreign language. tens of thousands of foreigners have happily settled here, enjoying the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s combination of high living standards and low living expenses. Because of this, Prague maintains active communities of expatriates who, by running their own webpages in english, provide newcomers with essential information about life in the Czech republic. apart from functioning simply as a survival guide to living in Prague, the friendly expat community organises various social events and provides information about cultural experience both in and outside the city.

WEB www.ic-cuni.cz FACEBOOK Charles university international Club INSTAGRAM ic_cuni

WHAT DO OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS THINK? SEPTINA DIAN LARASATI

PhD Student of Computer Science at Charles University

Prague is a city full of history, a place where you can almost feel the traces of history on every corner and in every alley in the city. Also, at Charles University you can always meet foreign students from different countries. So instead of just studying you can meet different people and learn about their culture, too.

NATHAN GREEN

PhD Student of Computer Science at Charles University One benefit of being here at Charles University is that there is always a faculty member, a colleague or a researcher who is available, that I can go to for help, that has very specific knowledge in one of the areas, and they are always open and willing to help.

Hear Tina and Nathan talk about their experiences in Prague and at Charles University on Youtube. To access the video, scan the QR code with your hand-held device.

Aakash Ravi

Bachelor’s Degree Student of Computer Science at Charles University Having lived all around the world before coming to Math-Phys to study for my bachelor’s, I was both excited and a bit nervous when I first arrived in Prague. A year later, I have no doubts in my mind that I made the right choice. The lecturers have been challenging me every day to become a more analytical thinker and enabled me to solve tougher and tougher problems, not just in maths or programming, but also in all areas of my interest. Couple that with the amazing support I have been given by other people within the university, including the International Student Advisor and even the Vice Dean, and I can say that anyone who wishes to study here will be taken good care of. Perhaps the most amazing part of it all is the fact that the university is situated right in the heart of Prague, possibly the most beautiful city I have ever seen in all my travels.

Antonio F. G. Sevilla

Master’s Degree Student of Computer Science at Charles University Studying at Math-Phys is a reflection of living in Prague, at least for me. Old and beautiful buildings as well as long academic traditions are combined with the teaching of modern science and the state of the art in research. This makes studying there both really enjoyable and worthwhile. Prague is a wonderful city in which to live and study. There is a lot of traditional, European culture everywhere. You can see it in the people, in the buildings... At the same time it’s very welcoming, and you feel an inspiring multicultural, cosmopolitan vibe.

In 2014, Charles University won the StudyPortals Award for Excellent International Student Satisfaction. International students rated their study experience at our university with a score between 9 and 9.5 out of 10. 13

FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO STUDIED AT CHARLES UNIVERSITY

KAREL ČAPEK

JAROSLAV HEYROVSKÝ

JAN HUS

MAX BROD

BOHUMIL HRABAL

FRANz KAFKA

MILAN KUNDERA CARL FERDINAND CORI

BERNARD BOLzANO 14

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS The Czech Republic has both produced and been home to a considerable number of famous personalities, including renowned thinkers, inventors, and artists. For instance, a significant church reformer by the name of Jan Hus or John Huss (1369-1415), who is considered to have strongly influenced such figures as Martin Luther, was of Czech origin. Hus was much ahead of his time, with his theories and teachings preceding the Protestant movement by an entire century. A priest and philosopher, Hus was a student and later a master at Charles University, and was eventually appointed its rector in 1402. In 1415, he was burned at the stake for heresy against the Catholic Church, yet his legacy and deeds are still praised today. In 2015, the 600th anniversary of his execution will take place.

in Graz, Austria. In 1867, he returned to his home country to become Chairman of Experimental Physics at Charles University in Prague. Composers of classical music Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) and Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) were born and schooled in Prague. Whereas Smetana’s nine operas became part of Czech popular consciousness, Dvořák’s From the New World symphony has conquered the world, and, in 1969, even the Moon. One of the world’s most prominent physicists, Albert Einstein (1879-1955), was appointed full professor of theoretical physics at Charles University in 1911 (the German part of the former Charles–Ferdinand University), and worked there until 1912, when he moved to Zurich.

In the beginning of the 17th century, a German-born mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) resided in Prague where he worked closely with a fellow astronomer, Tycho Brahe (1546-1601). After Brahe’s death in 1601, Kepler succeeded him as imperial mathematician at the court of Rudolph II, providing the emperor with astrological advice. It was while living in Prague that Kepler developed some of his most influential theories. Brahe’s final resting place is the Church of Our Lady before Týn in Old Town Square, where Prague’s famous Astronomical Clock is also located.

Prague is also known as the home city of Franz Kafka (1883-1924), a German-speaking Jewish novelist and short story writer. As a young man, Kafka attended the German branch of the then Charles-Ferdinand University, where he studied to become a lawyer. Kafka’s birthplace is located close to the famed Old Town Square, only a few steps from his alma mater’s two main historical buildings – Carolinum and Clementinum. Yet another prominent Czech writer of novels, short stories, and theatre plays, Karel Čapek (1890-1938), was also a student at Charles University. It is not widely realized that the word “robot,” which has by now become international, was introduced by Čapek in his 1921 play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots). The word is derived from the archaic Czech word “robota,” meaning “labour” in English.

A famous physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach (1838-1916), the originator of the Mach principle, was born in today’s Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic. After having received his doctorate in physics from the University of Vienna, Mach was appointed Professor of Mathematics and later of Physics

THE UNIVERSITY

ENROLL AT A TOP LEVEL INSTITUTION Founded in 1348 by Charles IV, Charles University is one of the oldest universities in the world. Following the example set by the first European universities of Bologna and Paris, Charles University achieved its international renown soon after its establishment. To date, it is still regarded as a prestigious, modern, dynamic, and cosmopolitan education institution of high standing and receives global acclaim. It is the largest and most renowned Czech university, and is also the best-rated Czech university according to international rankings. Scientific research is an indispensable part of the activities of Charles University, whose key priority is to further enhance its prestigious position as a research university. Charles University has a number of top research teams cooperating with foreign institutions, and students of all the independent faculties are encouraged to engage in scientific and research activities. For many years Charles University has been keen to incorporate the results of its research and development into its teaching, and to ensure the greatest possible involvement of research staff and students in Czech and international projects. The success of the University’s research policy is reflected in rankings based on research achievement, which demonstrate that the university is on par with prestigious institutions outside the Czech Republic. According to the respected international database Web of Science, Charles University is the most powerful scientific institution in the Czech Republic. In recent years, it has been credited with generating at least one third of all scientific breakthroughs within the country, and has an even larger share of academic citations. Charles University is actively involved in the activities of a

number of international organisations and university networks that engage in mutual assistance – always with great respect to the separate identity and diversity of each partner institution involved. Of all Czech universities, Charles University has the highest number of non-native students (currently more than 7,000). Most of them are international students coming from all over the world, notably from the UK, Scandinavia, Spain, North America and Asia. The university places emphasis on developing inter-university cooperation based on a growing network of bilateral agreements. Currently the network includes almost 200 partner universities on all continents, and the cooperation is carried out on a number of levels, from shared scientific projects to seminars and summer schools. Charles University also offers its students and employees a variety of leisure activities to choose from, such as art exhibitions in Carolinum, the oldest part of the university, numerous events of the theatre and music societies, film seminars, sporting facilities and diverse cultural events held at the university club in the very centre of Prague.

GET INVOLVED, MAKE HISTORY Charles University had the full number of faculties of a proper medieval university in the 14th century. Back then, the gateway to the study of law, medicine, and theology was the Faculty of Liberal Arts, later called the Faculty of Arts. Lectures in mathematics, physics, and astronomy were part of the usual programme of study, and the teaching was largely based on the treatises of classical and medieval authorities, predominantly those by Aristotle. Among the leading figures was a 15th century naturalist Jan Ondřejův, known as Šindel, professor of astronomy and mathematics and the author of Prague’s famous Astronomical Clock. The late 16th and early 17th centuries, particularly the period of reign of Emperor Rudolph II, saw most favourable conditions for the flourishing of scientific research in Prague. In 1599, Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe temporarily settled here, later inviting Johannes Kepler to join him. Kepler spent twelve years in Prague and formulated his first two laws here. During the Jesuit era, Charles University was annexed to the Jesuit academy in Clementinum, and renamed Karl-Ferdinand University in 1654. As a result, the chief educational emphasis of the

university shifted from the development of practically oriented disciplines to the education of new ecclesiastic intelligentsia, resulting in an almost one hundred-year decline in the study of natural sciences. Since the mid-18th century, the Jesuit influence on education was gradually becoming weaker, and after the demise of the Order in 1773 it ceased altogether. One of the pioneers of the educational reform of the day was professor of mathematics and head of the Clementinum observatory, Joseph Stepling. He promoted the study of Newtonian physics and experimental research, and was the first Czech mathematician to produce a methodic explication of differential calculus. During Stepling’s lifetime, the Clementinum observatory commenced its first systematic meteorological observations, which are carried out to the present day. The most prominent mathematician and philosopher active in Prague during the first half of the 19th century was Bernard Bolzano, professor of religion at Charles University

in the years 1805-1820. For many years, the eminent physicist and mathematician Christian Doppler was a lecturer at the Prague Technical University. In the years 1867-1895, a famous German physicist Ernst Mach lectured at the Prague university, where he succeeded in establishing a real physics institution that later trained a number of prominent Czech professors of physics. In 1882, the university was divided into the Czech and German branches, which lead to an increase in the number of professor and assistant positions, and to the overall improvement of research possibilities. The upsurge in the field of physics preceding the WWI particularly reflected on the German part of the university. In 1911, the Institute of Theoretical Physics was established, and, in the years 19111912, it was lead by Albert Einstein. In 1920, the university’s name was restored back to Charles University and that same year, the Faculty of Natural Sciences separated from the Faculty of Arts. The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (commonly

abbreviated as “MFF UK” or “Math-Phys”) has been functioning independently since 1952. Today, the Faculty provides education for more than 2,200 students in fields of computer science (informatics), mathematics, physics, and in the teaching of these disciplines at elementary and high school level. While the Faculty has always offered a range of courses in English, starting from the academic year 2013/14 it introduces fully English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Computer Science and Master’s programme in Mathematics — now it is your turn to get involved and make history!

“Academic freedom and freedom of research and teaching are amongst the fundamental values honoured by our alma mater. Every academic member of staff, every student, every one of us carries within themselves a set of academic values that has been handed down for centuries and which must be protected and reinforced for centuries to come.”

Prof. MUDr. Tomáš Zima, DrSc., MBA Rector of Charles University

Notable University Buildings and Locations Carolinum

A national monument and the seat of Charles University. This complex of historical buildings is located in the Old Town quarter, and has been a part of the university since 1383. One of the most notable parts of Carolinum is the Great Hall, where all major social events such as matriculation and graduation ceremonies are held.

K4 Student Club

The K4 student club and café is located in the cellar area of Carolinum, on Celetná street, only a few steps away from the Old Town Square. The premises underwent an overall renovation at the expense of Charles University and to this day the club remains co-financed by the university. Apart from functioning as a popular student café and bar, many cultural events are frequently held at the club, such as: concerts, art exhibitions, film screenings, poetry readings, and theatre performances.

Botanical Garden

Charles University’s botanical garden is a part of the Faculty of Science, and is one of the oldest university gardens in Europe. Its area is 3.5 hectares and its most valuable collection is Central European Flora, founded in 1904.

Faust House

First mentions of this mysterious building date back to the 12th century. The Faustian legends associated with the house most probably originated during the 16th century, when two of the house’s owners — Eduard Kelley and later Mladota of Solopysky — are said to have been conducting various alchemical experiments here. Today, the building is a part of the First Faculty of Medicine.

Faculty of Law

One of the four original faculties of Charles University, the Faculty of Law dates back to 1348. Today, its seat is located on the bank of the river Vltava, near the Svatopluk Čech Bridge. This Neoclassical building was originally designed by the founder of modern Czech architecture, a prominent architect Jan Kotěra, and constructed in the years 1926-1929.

MATh-PHYS Campuses, Prominent Workplaces and Centres Karlov

The Ke Karlovu campus is the oldest Czech university institute of physics, and the current headquarters of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. It houses the Dean’s Office, Faculty Administration, Academic Senate, Academic Council, as well as some of the physics departments.

Karlín

This one-building campus located in Karlín is home to the Department of Mathematics. A branch of the Charles University library, which can also be found here, is famous for the unique printed materials stored in it, such as first editions of Newton’s works.

Professed House

Part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, this important Baroque monument was built in the late 17th century as a “professed house” of the Jesuit order adjacent to the church of St. Nicholas. The Computer Science department resides here.

TrOja

The Troja campus is composed of five buildings, including: the Heavy Technology Laboratories, the Research and Development Workrooms, and the Cryogenics Laboratory. The majority of the departments belonging to the School of Physics are to be found here, as well as a branch of the faculty library and the Department of Language Education. The campus was built specifically for the needs of the faculty at the end of the 1960’s and 1970’s. The designer of this campus was one of the most prominent Czech architects of the late 20th century, Ing. arch. Karel Prager (1924-2001). 22

Nečas Centre for Mathematical Modeling

A research platform whose primary role is to coordinate and support research and educational activities of several Czech-based research teams working in the theoretical and applied mathematics (mostly in the field of continuum mechanics). The Centre also serves as a partner for similar institutions at home and abroad. The Centre is named after a world-renowned Czech mathematician Jindřich Nečas (1929-2002), who made seminal contributions to the theory of partial differential equations and to the mathematical theory in continuum mechanics. To learn more about the Centre and its research profile, scan the QR code with your handheld device.

Malach Centre for Visual History

Malach Centre for Visual History (CVH) at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of the Charles University in Prague provides local access to the extensive digital archives of the USC Shoah Foundation – the Institute for Visual history and Education, the Refugee Voices archive of the Association of Jewish Refugees, and the testimonial collection of the Museum of Romani Culture in Brno. The Visual History Archive of USC Shoah Foundation contains over 50,000 witness testimonies covering the history of entire 20th century. Filmed interviews are fully accessible through an on-line interface in Malach CVH. Users can search for and view desired testimonies by using more than 55,000 keywords or a database of 1.1 million names. The testimonies available in Malach Centre were recorded in 56 countries and in 32 languages.

KARLOV

TROJA

PROFESSED HOUSE

MALACH CENTRE FOR VISUAL HISTORYY

NEČAS CENTRE FOR MATHEMATICAL MODELING

KARLíN

Karlov The Ke Karlovu campus is the oldest Czech university institute of physics, and the current headquarters of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. It houses the Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office, Faculty Administration, Academic Senate, Academic Council, as well as some of the physics departments.

COMPUTER SCIENCE BUILDING Computer Science building dates back to the 17 th century, and is located within just a few steps from Charles Bridge and Prague Castle .

ST. WENCESLAS ROTUNDA inside this math-Phys building, archaeological remnants of a round structure dating back to the 11 th century were discovered in february 2004. the finding was identified as St. Wenceslas Rotunda, a monument to the duke of Bohemia that was believed to have vanished without trace for more than 370 years. inside, a valuable fragment of original ceramic tiling was found, making it one of the most outstanding examples of romanesque art in Bohemia. Curious about this unique discovery? thanks to the generous support of many donors, the preserved St. Wenceslas rotunda is open to the public since 2016. Scan the code to visit the official rotunda website, or go directly to nase-rotunda.cz/en.

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMMES although math-Phys is one of the most important scientific institutions (it is currently generating around 6% of the total scientific output of the Czech republic), most of our graduates pursue practical careers in local or multinational companies. this is the reason why it has always been our priority to ensure that theoretical tutoring should meet its practical application. in the Software Project course, teams of 4 to 6 students work together for 9 months to develop a nontrivial software product in the same way an actual it commission for a real customer is normally effected. in the long history of this project, about half of the software products came into being not as teaching assignments, but as real commissions whose results have reached actual customers. to this day, hundreds of projects have been practically deployed, among them:

NetBeans IDE (originally Xelfi) BIRD Internet Routing Daemon Anaromina - online interactive learning platform for students of anatomy Alex PTIcs voice chat system Authoritative DNS server Knot Justinian – legal information system the Partnership Programme is a perfect way for our students to experience actual commissioned work already from the earliest stages of their university education. apart from specifically targeted Software Projects and other short-term assignments, our students can choose to work on their Bachelor’s and master’s theses in collaboration with some of our partners. Our current partners include:

Crytur is one of the world’s leading producers of technical solutions for science and industries based on single crystal materials. the CSOB group is part of the KBC international bancassurance group active mainly in Belgium and the regions of Central and eastern europe. Red Hat is a company behind red hat enterprise linux (a comercially successful distribution of linux) and other mainly open-source software products. Hewlett-Packard (hP) is a major multinational company en gaged with information technologies, development and pro duction of hardware and software products, and providing other services. the german company materials Science and engineering Werkstoffzentrum (mSe) is engaged with material sciences and engineering.

Did you know? The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics is commonly referred to as “MATH-PHYS” (“matfyz”) within Czech cultural context. More than 40% of Internet peering centers use the BIRD routing server, software that originated as a student project at our university. A few years ago, Professors Nešetřil and Matoušek wrote a Czech textbook, Kapitoly z diskrétní matematiky, covering the material on which they had lectured in a required first-year course in the Faculty’s computer science programme. Since that time, the textbook has been translated into and published in five other languages, including English, and its publication in two other languages is currently under way. The Academic Ranking of World Universities (the “Shanghai League”), which annually compares more than 1,000 of the best universities worldwide (selected from a total of over 17,000 institutions), has repeatedly listed Charles University among the top 300. In 2014, it ranked 200-251 in mathematics and 101-150 in physics. In 2015, it ranked 151-200 in Mathematics and 101-150 in Physics. More than 53,000 students attend Charles University, out of which 7,000 are students from other countries and about 2,300 are registered in English-taught programmes.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN KINGDOM COME: DELIVERANCE (WarhOrSe StudiOS) The AMIS Group (Artificial Minds and Intelligent Systems) is a faculty-based group of people who have been developing artificial intelligence for more than 10 years. Lately, the group has been making significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence for an upcoming computer game, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance”, an historical-fiction RPG based on the reign of king Wenceslas IV. The result is extremely true-to-life behaviour of the simulated environment, promising a truly impressive gameplay experience. In February 2014, the project was successfully funded through the webbased Kickstarter, and has exceeded the required minimum of donations by more than 100%. Tomáš Plch, the ai lead programmer at Warhorse Studios, speaks about his studies at math-Phys and the ways in which the faculty has been helpful in developing this extraordinary computer game: The faculty provided me and my colleagues with the opportunity to start cooperating on the AAA game “Kingdom Come: Deliverance.” In only a few months, my career skyrocketed from being a parttime researcher to becoming the AI Team Leader. I got the chance to design and implement the core systems for the Artificial Intelligence engine on which the game is currently running – and I am still improving it. One of the key advantages the faculty has given me is the theoretical background and practical skills I acquired while studying there. Not only did it make me a skilled C++ programmer, but also a researcher and a creatively-minded person. There is a shortage of skilled programmers (not only in the game development industry) and, to my knowledge, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics is one of the few institutions where programmers still count for something. To learn more about the game, visit the project’s page at Kickstarter – simply scan the QR code with your handheld device.

UNIVERSITY RANKINGS Microsoft Academic Search: #11 in Discrete Mathematics worldwide Academic Ranking of World Universities 2015: #201-300 overall rank; #101-150 in Physics; 151-200 in Mathematics Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015: #301-350 QS World University Rankings 2015/2016: #279; #151-200 in Mathematics; #201-250 in Physics, #251-300 in Computer Science Charles University is consistently ranked as the #1 Computer Science school in the Czech Republic

OUR ALUMNI

DON’T SIMPLY TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT Our graduates successfully pursue professional careers after graduation, or proceed with their education on doctoral and post-doctoral levels in the Czech Republic and abroad. Choosing the right place to study is never an easy task and relies on a number of important factors. Curriculum and choice of subjects, quality of education, tuition and living costs, and the academic environment are all equally significant aspects to consider before making your decision. Perhaps one of the most important questions is how well can the university of your choice prepare you for your future career, and what are the prospects for employment after you graduate. According to the statistics, the unemployment rate among Math-Phys graduates is 0%. Unemployment is simply an unknown concept to our alumni since, for the most part, they do not have to search laboriously for potential employers, but, rather, are free to directly choose the job that is most attractive for them. Why is this so? Our graduates are trained to quickly adapt to new technologies and approaches a fact recognized by many top-level international companies. For many years, the study programmes in computer science and mathematics offered by Math-Phys have been repeatedly ranked as he leading subjects of study among all Czech universities.

Trading, to mention just a few. Some of our former students have continued with their education in graduate schools at universities such as Stanford, MIT, Cambridge or Warwick. Of course, the achievements of our students and alumni do not solely depend on the quality of our education and their success is rather a matter of their personal diligence and creativity. Nevertheless, you may find it of interest to read some of our graduates’ thoughts on the level of education, possibilities for future employment, and generally on their studies at our faculty — or “Math-Phys,” as many of them prefer to call it.

A great number of our alumni have established themselves in important careers and leadership positions in large, well-respected companies such as Google, Facebook, IBM, Avast, Deloitte, Ernst&Young, and others. Many of our graduates have also succeeded in establishing new, creative, and efficient businesses in the spheres of commerce, banking, and software development. These include Fio Banking, RJS, and Algorithmic

prof. RNDr. Jan KratochvĂl, CSc. Dean, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University I received my Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics in 1983, and my PhD in 1987. As far as I can recall, the atmosphere here has always been competitive, but also collaborative and friendly. As students, we felt honoured to be involved in research and to see our first research papers published, being encouraged by our teachers. Only after becoming a teacher myself, I can see that running special research seminars for undergraduate students and guiding their first attempts of independent scientific work requires quite a lot of extra effort from the faculty. But this is an effort that pays off. Our graduate students then present their work regularly at international conferences and publish in reputable international journals from the first years of their study. After the fall of iron curtain in 1989, I made full use of the opportunities to travel and visit foreign universities. I was surprised to see that the level of our students and the quality of our teaching could stand all comparisons. Perhaps it was the nature of mathematics as a truly apolitical science that left it mostly unaffected by the political suppression of the pre-1989 era. As a result, many very good students who were not allowed to study philosophy or other topics of their first choice enriched the pool of gifted students at our faculty, thus producing a critical mass of self-learning adepts of science challenging their teachers. Today I feel a great honour and responsibility being the head of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics whose current research and teaching combine the benefits of international cooperation with its own experience and tradition.

A WORD FROM OUR GRAduates Jiří Fialka

Member of Executive Board, Ceska pojistovna a.s. & Generali pojistovna a.s. Math-Phys provides its students with quality training for their future employment. While certain management skills could be gained with greater ease as one grows more mature, mathematics always provides a solid starting point for a great range of carrier paths. While the alumni today have the opportunity to apply their mathematical skills directly, my task in the first years after graduation was to create the environment in which actuarial methods could be used in practice. Fresh actuaries may happily skip this step, and I am very pleased to see how quickly the younger generations of my colleagues develop within the field. Even though my current role is much more business-oriented, mathematics helps me in solving my daily tasks. One day I hope to move further into the area of personal development - to support actuaries, mathematicians, and other experts in their growth and success within the business environment.

Daniel Kráľ

Lecturer, University of Warwick Math-Phys is a well-known “label” among Czech university students. It iscommonly considered as very hard to graduate from, perhaps because the students are always required to know the “why’s” in addition to the “how’s”. Math-Phys can prepare its students for any career related to information technology, be it in commercial sector or in academia. After working as a post-doc at TU Berlin and at Georgia Institute of Technolog in Atlanta, I spent six more years at Math-Phys, teaching and researching. It has been a joy for me to guide new students on their path to learn how computers work, in a way similar to how I myself was once guided as a student. People at Math-Phys are extremely passionate about their work, making it a unique, pleasant, and enjoyable place to study.

Jan Vondrák

Research Staff Member, IBM Almaden Research Centre I spent eight happy years at Math-Phys, starting in physics and later transferring to comp-sci and discrete mathematics. Only later did I realize how fortunate I was to have had easy access to this kind of education. I have been studying and working in the United States since 2000 – I received my PhD in applied mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and then I worked at Microsoft Research, Princeton University and IBM Research. Looking back, I would say that undergraduate training at Math-Phys is comparable to top-level institutions in the US. The quality of courses, academic standards and general vibe in Prague are in no way inferior to universities such as MIT or Princeton. In terms of advanced research, discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science at MFF UK are world-class, and the professors are widely acclaimed.

Evelina Gabašová

PhD student, University of Cambridge Looking back at my studies at Math-Phys, what I appreciate the most is the solid foundation the faculty gave me not only in the main fields of my study – computer science and programming – but also in mathematics. The knowledge and skills I acquired there helped me immensely in getting accepted to a Master’s programme in Machine Learning at University College London, one of Britain’s top universities, and later to do my PhD in Cambridge. I’m glad that the computer science programme at Math-Phys is not only about programming and learning how to code. At Math-Phys, I attained sufficient understanding of many areas of computer science, which eventually helped me choose a field that I wanted to explore further.

Jakub Jermář

Software Engineer, Avast Math-Phys provided me with much knowledge and experience, taught me to think analytically and to approach problems systematically, thanks to which I can solve even the most difficult tasks. It must be said that Math-Phys took quite a lot of my nerves and time, simply because studying there was challenging at times, especially if one is not a strictly studious type and has other interests. I chose Math-Phys mainly because I wanted to explore the mysteries of software systems, and can now see my choice to have been an excellent one. I am especially grateful for the Software Project class, where students work in small teams for longer periods of time, and together they create interesting technical projects, sometimes of epic proportions.

Larysa Aharkava

Software Engineer, Google Studying at Math-Phys is not always easy, but there is a lot of high level material. Courses not only provide students with theoretical knowledge, but also give a broad overview of practical aspects of programming work, as well as of current innovations in the area of IT. Lecturers at Math-Phys have a deep knowledge of their field of expertise and are open to discussion as well as being responsive to the demands of the students. Moreover, one meets a lot of clever and determined people at the faculty and therefore Math-Phys is an ideal place for “networking.” Math-Phys students work all over the world (a lot of them work, for instance, at Google) trying to spread not only their experience, but also opportunities for their fellow graduates.

Stanislav Živný

Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford I was aware of the existence of Math-Phys already in high school, which is primarily due to the Faculty’s excellent reputation, but also to the correspondence seminars it offers. Studying there exceeded my expectations by far – versatile classmates, friendly and helpful teachers, and a great number of exciting lectures to choose from, even though some of them proved to be rather challenging at times. I have many pleasant memories of Math-Phys, it taught me many things and gave me many valuable friendships. The level of education at Math-Phys is comparable to the best universities in the world, and yet you have the advantage of studying in a beautiful city full of history.

WHY STUDY WITH US

STUDY MATHEMATICS AND COMP-SCI AT MATh-PHYS The English-taught programmes in mathematics and computer science are open to students from all over the world, including Czech students and international students who have already been living and studying in the Czech Republic. This way, you will have the opportunity to meet and work with fellow students and researchers from many different cultural backgrounds.

WHY STUDY MATHEMATICS AT MATH-PHYS? At our faculty, we lay great emphasis on leading our students toward deep understanding of the studied material, so that they are able to creatively adjust the known methods and techniques to independently solve tasks with which they

may be presented in the future. To this end, the focus on mathematics teaches our students not to fear any seemingly complex task. Students will be able to divide them into simpler, smaller tasks which they will then resolve step by step, and, when consolidating their results, will be able to arrive at a final solution with greater ease. Studying mathematics, students will learn to think analytically and accurately, and will refine their logical deduction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these are precisely the skills for which our graduates are most high-

ly valued among potential employers across a wide range of professional fields. Only a small number of our graduates, however, become professional researchers and academics who would solely use mathematics as the milestone of their career. Most graduates pursue careers in fields different from that of their studies, where they nevertheless employ their knowledge of mathematics and skills of logical thinking on daily basis. Because of this, the areas in which they find employment are extremely diverse.

Our former students work in banks, insurance companies and financial institutions; solve complex tasks for large international corporations; analyse and programme complicated computer systems; or engage in trade and business. you can meet mathematics graduates almost everywhere â&#x20AC;&#x201C; often they prove to be even more successful in their new field than those who were specifically schooled for the job. as a student of mathematics, you will have considerable freedom in selecting the projects that interest you the most and on which you will focus. there are short-term summer projects to which you may choose to contribute, and a number of specialised seminars which require working on specific tasks commanded directly by big companies. therefore, apart from gaining invaluable experience, you will already be able to make contacts with potential employers in the early stages of your studies. a wide range of possibilities to study abroad is also available on the basis

of the many agreements our faculty has established with international universities in europe and beyond.

to organize our teaching in a way that gives you the flexibility you need, to let you choose your own preferred specialisation, and even to shift your focus freely during the time of your studies. at math-Phys, you will find the utmost freedom in choosing the projects on which you would like to focus. not only can you choose from a number of existing research topics, but you can also come up with your own creative project. are you interested in robotics? then you can try and build your own ro-

bot during a project called the Robotic Day. have you always wondered about how software for planes and cars is programmed? you can try it out for yourself as a part of the LEGO mindstorm project. Or are you more curious about artificial intelligence? Computer graphics? Operating systems? translators or computer linguistics? at math-Phys, we teach all these and much more!

WHY STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE AT MATH-PHYS? to get a truly valuable and quality education that will pay off, you will need to gain solid foundations on which you will be able to build in the future. Just as we first learn to walk and only later to run, in the computer science programme we first aim to teach our students the basics very thoroughly. We believe that our students will appreciate the fact that they will not need to learn the basic aspects of each new trend they may encounter only because they were not considered a priority at the time of study. Our goal is not to teach the students how to solve conventional tasks that were previously covered and explained in the lectures,

compsci-math.cz 39

but to guide and support them on the way toward finding their own creative solutions and to make sure they know how to handle real-life tasks that await them in their future. for this reason specifically, our computer science students can be employed in any area of IT immediately after graduation. in our curriculum, we put a great emphasis on ideas and concepts that have stood the test of time and that will endure. this is the reason for the inclusion of a large number of classes in mathematics, especially when compared to most computer science programmes at other universities. Perhaps you are not yet sure whether you would prefer to study programming for Windows or linux. maybe you would like to try out both, or instead work with databases? Or perhaps with networks? Would you like to create a computer game with stunning graphics? Or is inventing algorithms your greatest passion? everybody is different and has his or her own tempo. that is why we try

STUDY PROGRAMMES

BACHELORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PROGRAMME BACHELORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DEGREE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE the Bachelor of general Computer Science study programme is intended for students who would like to learn the lasting foundations of computer science and to become proficient in its methods and approaches. the programme usually takes three years and is concluded with a state final examination, after the successful completion of which the candidates are awarded the title of Bachelor. the degree is accredited by the ministry of education, youth, and Sports of the Czech republic, and is internationally recognized. the language of instruction is english. in the first year, basic courses in mathematics (mathematical analysis i and ii, linear algebra i and ii, discrete mathematics, Combinatorics, and graphs), and introductory courses to programming and computers (Programming i and ii, Principles of Computers, introduction to networking, algorithms and data Structures, introduction to uniX) are taught. during the second year, students further develop their knowledge of mathematical theory (mathematical analysis iii, Propositional and Predicate logic, Probability and Statistics), as well as theoretical basics of programming and computers (algorithms and data Structures ii, Optimization methods, non-Procedural Programming, automata and grammars, database Systems). in the second year, students are required to attend courses in practical programming (choosing one of the following courses: Programming in C++, Java, C# language and .net framework), and to present an individual Software Project. Students are also required to earn credit in other courses

according to their individual needs and interests. in the third year, students are expected to work on their Bachelor thesis. Only one additional course in mathematics (algebra) is recommended for the final year. Obligatory courses are complemented by elective courses chosen by students themselves.

WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT OUR COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAMME

Organisation of Studies: Semesters, Lectures, Exams The academic year is divided into two semesters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the winter semester, starting in October, and the summer semester, starting in February. In each semester, there are 13 weeks of teaching followed by a five-week examination period. The courses mostly consist of lectures and classes. While lectures cover the theoretical bases of the individual subjects,

practical applications of these are further explored in classes. The duration of most courses, both lectures and classes, is 90 minutes once or twice a week. Attendance of lectures and classes is usually not obligatory, but is strongly recommended. Course credit (usually for classes) is awarded at the end of the semester, with some of the courses requiring

an additional examination. The conditions for obtaining course credit depend on the nature of each course, some requiring a written test, other programming an application or writing a course work. Most exams are taken during the 5-week examination period and can be both oral and written.

Master’s PROGRAMMES In our Master’s programmes, students are given a broad overview of their preferred field of study. The courses are specifically designed as to encourage independent thinking in our students, to enable them to distinguish between important and marginal tasks, and to teach them to easily accommodate the rapidly evolving new technologies. A Master’s degree usually requires two years of study, and is concluded by a final state examination and a thesis defense (viva), after which all successful candidates are granted the title of “Master of Science.”

MASTER’S degree in COMPUTER SCIENCE Three major specialisations are currently available within the English-taught Computer Science programme: Theoretical Computer Science, Mathematical Linguistics, and Discrete Models and Algorithms. The study programme is very flexible and students can customize their set of attended courses based on their particular interests and needs. In the first year, basic courses such as Data Structures and Theory of Complexity and Computability are mandatory for all students regardless of their specialisation. Students of Mathematical Linguistics are further required to attend courses on natural language processing and statistical methods, as well as to begin their work on a software group project. Students specialising in Discrete Models and Algorithms attend courses on combinatorics, graph theory, and optimization. In the second year of their studies, Master’s students select a set of desired courses from the optional courses list to construct their own individual schedules. These are based on the students’ specialisation within the programme, as well as on their study plan. We currently teach courses on artificial intelligence and its sub-areas, such as machine learning, planning, declarative programming, and neural networks, several linguistics courses, courses

on speech recognition and machine translation, courses on optimization techniques (non-linear, combinatorial, multi-criteria), integer programming, mathematical structures, algorithms and their complexity, as well as approximation and probabilistic algorithms. Certain students may prefer to attend some of these courses already in their first year, so that in their second year they can focus on the completion of their master’s thesis.

MASTER’S DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS The Master’s programme in Mathematics leads the students to achieve a deep and solid understanding of higher mathematics. It is specially designed to encourage analytical thinking, creativity and comprehensive understanding in the students, as well as to develop their ability to apply mathematical methods to real-life tasks. Graduates find employment not only at universities and research institutes, but also in banks, financial and insurance companies, pharmaceutical industry, software industry, marketing, or telecommunication companies. A number of specialisations ranging from pure abstract mathematics to applications in various fields are available in the English-taught Mathematics programme on MA level.

MA in Mathematics - Available Specialisations: Mathematical Structures

Probability, Mathematical Statistics, and Econometrics

- provides deep knowledge of advanced algebra, geometry, logic, and combinatorics.

- offers advanced courses in probability theory, optimization, statistical modeling, and random processes, and applies the methods to solve problems from economics, technology, natural sciences, and informatics.

Mathematical Analysis

- focuses on advanced real function theory, complex analysis, functional analysis, ordinary and partial differential equations.

Financial and Insurance Mathematics

- focuses on mathematical methods for finance, life and non-life insurance, and financial management.

Numerical and Computational Mathematics

- deals with design, analysis, algorithmisation, and implementation of methods for computational processing of mathematical models.

Mathematical Methods of Information Security

Mathematical Modeling in Physics and Technology

- deals with theoretical foundations of cryptography as well as practical aspects of data security.

- is an interdisciplinary field connecting mathematical analysis, numerical mathematics, and physics to develop and apply mathematical models of natural phenomena.

ADMISSION

ADMISSION Every year, the admission procedure is organised in two rounds, a winter and a spring round, with deadlines at the end of February and the end of May, respectively (up-to-date application deadlines are available on the faculty website www.compsci-math.cz). The goal of the admission procedure is to determine the applicants who have best shown the capabilities and diligence expected of all Charles University students. If you are from outside the European Union and the Schengen Area, we strongly advise you to apply for the winter round to allow enough time to obtain a student visa or a long-term residence permit for studying in the Czech Republic. Please note that the visa process can take up to 90 days.

BACHELOR’S ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

3. Have sufficient command of the English language; this can be demonstrated by passing the entrance examination in English organized by the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics or by providing your results in one of the standardized English tests recognize by our institution (see www. compsci-math.cz for details).

To be admitted to English-taught Bachelor’s programmes at our faculty, you are required to:

All applicants are most welcome to accompany their application by a personal statement describing the reasons for applying for the proposed programme, their academic background and research interests, as well as future career plans. Letters of recommendation as recent as possible from professors or employers who can comment on your recent professional accomplishments and your qualifications for pursuing a Master’s degree in mathematics or computer science are also highly recommended.

1. hold, or be currently working towards a School Leaving Certificate confirming the fulfilment of the requirements of secondary education in your country of residence. 2. meet the Reasoning Requirements 3. provide sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency

MASTERS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

For detailed information about the admission procedure, application deadlines and a full list of requirements, please visit our website, www.compsci-math.cz, or contact our Admission Office at admission@mff.cuni.cz

To be admitted to English-taught Master’s programmes at our faculty, you are required to: 1. hold, or be working towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree, and be able to provide a certified copy thereof; in cases required by law, a certification of equivalence of education must accompany the application 2. have sufficient academic background in the relevant fields (see www.compsci-math.cz for details); this can be demonstrated by passing the specialized entrance examination in Prague organized by the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, or by providing transcripts (academic records) of your previous education; promising students who do not have this background may be admitted with the provision that they complete required Bachelor’s courses

HOW TO APPLY sionâ&#x20AC;? section. A sample application in pdf format is also available on the webpage. Please note that the pdf file with your details is generated automatically from the online application and is for your reference only. Please refrain from sending it to us.

1. Take one of the standardised English Language Proficiency tests (TOEFL, SAT, ACT, or other) and submit your results.

4. Submit your application online

Applicants must complete their standardized tests in time. If you prefer to take the entrance examination organized by Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, you are not obliged to take a standardised test in advance

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact our Admission Office at admission@mff.cuni.cz. Please make sure to upload all the required documents as specified above along with your application. For TOEFL, SAT, ACT, and IB tests, please arrange to have your test results sent directly to Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics.

2. Ensure that you have all the required documentation and information at hand, including:

a) Personal Details (your full name, date and place of birth, citizenship, permanent residence address, address for correspondence, email address, passport number) b) Name and address of your secondary school c) School Leaving Certificate and any related documents d) Your standardised test results

5. What happens next? After submitting your completed application, you will receive a letter of acknowledgement by email. The admission committee will then carefully consider all applications in order to select candidates best suited for admission to each of the programmes. If your application is successful, you will receive a letter of acceptance and an information pack explaining the next stage of the admission process. If the application is not successful, you will also be addressed in writing.

3. Fill in the electronic application form To submit an online application, please follow the link with instructions accessible through our webpage, compsci-math.cz, in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Admis

COSTS & BENFITS

ENJOY AFFORDABLE COSTS Annual tuition for all Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programmes: 3,000 EUR (approx. 3,350 USD) for EU students 5,000 EUR (approx. 5,590 USD) for non-EU students The average monthly cost of living ranges between EUR 400-600 (approx. 450-670 USD), including accommodation, food, public transportation, and leisure activities. The application fee for all programmes and applicants is 20 EUR (approx. 22 USD) per application, and is payable online.

Learn Czech and Study for Free! great variety of preparatory Czech language courses. From intensive and shortterm courses to year-long programmes and summer schools, foreign students can choose to study in some of the most beautiful parts of the Czech Republic. Are you keen on learning Czech but cannot take one of the certified courses on site? Enroll in one of the official tutor-assisted e-learning courses online! To learn more about the range of available courses, visit ujop.cuni.cz.

Learning to speak a new language is always exciting and can have some great advantages. Aside from helping you to extend your linguistic capabilities and make you blend in with the locals more easily, learning Czech can also exempt you from paying international tuition fees. All students enrolled in Czech-language study programmes at Charles University study entirely free of charge! To ensure that everyone gets an equal chance of free education, the university offers a 46

TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE BENEFITS WE OFFER Having enrolled as a full-time student at our university, you will be fully entitled to enjoy all the benefits offered by Charles University. All of our international students are completely eligible for scholarships, stipends, project and research grants, as well as for various other bonuses.

University Scholarships and Grants

dents prefer activities involving some kind of a net, we also have our own tennis and volleyball courts. Regardless of what sport you choose, you are welcome to join our facultyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University Sports Club and try to beat the records!

The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics supports its best students through a number of scholarship programmes (Transition Scholarship, Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement). New scholarships are occasionally announced, and will be offered to applicants who satisfy the admission requirements as well as the scholarship regulations. All the available scholarships will be displayed on the faculty website. Additionally, all students enrolled in the Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programme are eligible to apply for individual research grants in the amount of up to 32,000 EUR (approx. 40,300 USD).

Work, Present, See the World Because at Charles University education and research go hand in hand, our students are encouraged to attend academic conferences and present their research. Every year, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics organises a number of student conferences, international academic conferences and symposiums, and lectures by visiting academics from all over the world. Our students are not only welcome to take part in all the above events, but their own academic activities at home and abroad are very much encouraged. Charles University aims to financially support student academic and research activities from short study visits and longer research stays to participation at conferences and publishing of their research results in academic periodicals.

ERASMUS+ Study Abroad Programme Through the LLP/Erasmus programme (Lifelong Learning Programme/Erasmus), several hundred students each year are enabled to travel from Charles University for a study period abroad in another European educational institution. The programme is open to all students who are enrolled in an accredited study programme at Charles University at bachelor, master, or doctoral level, and remain properly enrolled as students of Charles University throughout the period of their study abroad. In recent years, more than 1,500 bilateral agreements have been prepared for our students, covering over 2,000 places for one- or two-semester study periods abroad. These include destinations in all the countries that have joined the LLP/Erasmus programme.

Test Your Potential Employers Excursions to international companies such as IBM and Google are organised annually by the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics for all interested students. Are you considering a career with one of these corporations in the future? Or would you perhaps like to try it out and decide later? Or even make some money while working on something that really interests you? Good news! Our faculty offers a number of internship positions in companies such as IBM to its students, even at undergraduate level. Best internship attendees may also apply for paid positions in trainee programmes at IBM, and become specialists in the areas of their choice. International students especially have a good chance of finding their way to one of 10 IBM research labs abroad (especially Haifa, Israel; Zurich, Switzerland; and Dublin, Ireland), where they can also become research internees on paid positions.

Get moving Sports activities are available to all Charles University students free of charge. The Department of Physical Education offers 18 different sports to choose from, ranging from team sports to adventure sports. These include basketball, badminton, football and floorball, squash, judo, pilates, swimming, but also in-line skating, climbing, and canoeing. Because most Math-Phys stu-

CONTACTS

Get more information For more information about studying and living in Prague, please visit our website: compsci-math.cz Feel free to contact us directly Charles University Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Ke Karlovu 3 121 16 Prague Czech Republic

If you have any queries regarding our study programmes or the admission procedure, please contact the Assistant for Prospective Students, Stanislav VeselĂ˝, at info@mff.cuni.cz, or telephone number +420 951 551 217.